TexHouse Plain comparisons of 3D printing and maker tools

AutoTrace vs LightBurn in 2026

AutoTrace and LightBurn compared with VectorMagik for turning pictures into vector files: what each does, price, setup, and what to check first.

By TexHouse ยท

TexHouse is published by the makers of LunarWerx 3D Print, Vector3D and MeshyDL, which are compared here alongside other tools.

LightBurn is digital fabrication software for makers. [1] VectorMagik traces a picture into vector shapes with its own engine and saves the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [2] [2] The sources for this page give no facts about AutoTrace, so what it does is checked on its own page before deciding. If you want to try a tool before buying, LightBurn's page offers a 30 day trial period with no restrictions. [3] If you want tracing done on your own computer without a window, VectorMagik's command-line version does the same work. [2]

OptionWhat it doesPriceWhere it runs
AutoTraceno facts given in these sourcesnot publishednot published
LightBurnDigital fabrication software for makers [1]no price stated; perpetual, no subscription [1] [1]Windows 10+, macOS 13+ [1]; Windows 32-bit [3]
VectorMagikTraces a picture into vector shapes [2]; saves as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG [2]Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) [2]Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version [2]

The short answer

LightBurn is digital fabrication software for makers. [1] VectorMagik traces a picture into vector shapes with its own engine and saves the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [2] [2] The sources for this page give no facts about AutoTrace, so what it does is checked on its own page before deciding. If you want to try a tool before buying, LightBurn's page offers a 30 day trial period with no restrictions. [3] If you want a picture turned into editable vector shapes, the VectorMagik claims say it does that. [2] If you want the tracing done on your own computer without a window, its command-line version does the same work. [2]

What AutoTrace, LightBurn is built for

LightBurn's page calls it digital fabrication software for makers. [1] Its trial lets a maker use the full version for 30 days with no restrictions. [3] Downloads exist for a Windows 32-bit version. [3] The facts gathered for this page say nothing more about LightBurn's features, so its own page holds the details. No facts about AutoTrace came with this page, so its features are checked on its own page before comparing. When one side of a comparison has little said, the honest move is to verify it directly rather than guess.

What VectorMagik is built for

VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site. It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine. [2] The result is saved as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [2] A tolerance slider merges neighbouring curve pieces, and Auto picks the largest tolerance that keeps the picture. [2] You can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting. [2] The result can be limited to between 1 and 64 colours. [2] Shapes can be clicked to delete them, such as a background, or two shades merged into one. [2] It can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow. [2] The vector can be compared with the bitmap side by side, or flipped between with the B and V keys. [2] A version runs in the web browser using the same engine. [2]

Pricing and fees

The LightBurn facts here state no price, so the current price is checked on its own page. The trial runs for a 30 day period with no restrictions. [3] VectorMagik says it is free for everyone, and business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [2] No card fee or add-on fee is published for any of these tools in the sources given. AutoTrace's price is not stated in these sources either, so it is checked on its own page.

Setting it up and printing

LightBurn's page says downloads exist for a Windows 32-bit version. [3] Its trial runs for 30 days with no restrictions. [3] The sources for this page say no more about LightBurn's setup, so check its own page for the systems and printers it covers. VectorMagik installs with a Windows installer, a portable zip, a macOS zip, a Debian or Ubuntu .deb or a Linux tar.gz, all from GitHub releases. [2] Downloads exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version. [2] When a traced result is wanted as a cut file, the multi-format export includes DXF. [2] No facts here say how either tool connects to a printer, so what to plug in is checked with each one's own page.

Things to check before you choose

Ask what each tool's own page says about file types, since the sources here give few. Ask whether a 30 day trial matters to you, since LightBurn offers one. [3] Ask whether a browser or an installed program suits your way of working, since VectorMagik offers both. [2] [2] Ask whether your work is personal or business, since VectorMagik needs a licence for business use. [2] Ask what the current prices are, since none are published in these sources. Decide how much the command-line and browser versions add for you, since those are VectorMagik claims. [2]

How to choose

If you want a try-before-buy, LightBurn's page offers a 30 day trial period with no restrictions. [3] If you run an older Windows machine, LightBurn's page lists a Windows 32-bit download. [3] If you want a picture turned into vector shapes you can edit, VectorMagik's claims say it traces and lets you move or delete curve nodes. [2] [2] If you export to several file types including DXF, its export claim covers SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF and PNG. [2] If you want a free tool, VectorMagik says it is free for everyone, with a licence needed for business use. [2]

Frequently asked questions

Does LightBurn have a free trial?

LightBurn's page says it offers a 30 day trial period with no restrictions. [3] The facts here do not state a price for LightBurn, so the current price is checked on its own page. VectorMagik says it is free for everyone, with business use needing a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [2]

Can VectorMagik export DXF files?

VectorMagik's claim says it saves the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [2] For traced shapes, it says it uses a tolerance slider to merge curve pieces and lets you move or delete curve nodes. [2] [2]

What computers can run LightBurn?

LightBurn's page says LightBurn and MillMage run on Windows 10+ and macOS 13+. [1] It also lists a Windows 32-bit download. [3] The facts here say no more about systems, so check its own page for yours. VectorMagik lists downloads for Windows x64, macOS and Linux x64, plus a browser version. [2]

Does VectorMagik need to be installed?

VectorMagik offers a version that runs in the web browser using the same engine. [2] It also installs with a Windows installer, a portable zip, a macOS zip, a Debian or Ubuntu .deb or a Linux tar.gz, all from GitHub releases. [2] A command-line version does the same work without a window. [2]

What does AutoTrace do?

The sources gathered for this page give no facts about AutoTrace, so nothing is stated here about what it does. Check its own page for its features, formats and price before comparing. That is the same as checking LightBurn's current price, which the facts here do not state either.

Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [2]

Try VectorMagik

Sources

  1. LightBurn, lightburnsoftware.com, read 2026-10-10
  2. VectorMagik's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  3. LightBurn, lightburnsoftware.com/pages/download-trial, read 2026-10-10

Related comparisons